Rosendo Corrales

Rosendo Luis "Ross" Corrales passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on May 26, 2026. Throughout life's joys, hardships, and challenges, Ross remained steadfast in his Christian faith. While his family grieves his passing, they find comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain and has been reunited with loved ones who went before him. <br /> Ross was welcomed home by his beloved mother, Tomasita Martinez, who passed away when he was only eighteen months old; his father, Frank Corrales; his sister, Jayne Pilon; his son, Eric Lamar Corrales; and many other family members and dear friends. <br /> Born on April 8, 1942, in Gallina, New Mexico, Ross descended from generations of New Mexican families whose roots in the region stretched back centuries. He spent much of his childhood being raised by his grandparents, Tomás and Lugarita Martinez, along with his aunts, whose love, guidance, and steadfast values helped shape the man he would become. After his father remarried Amabel Duran, Ross gained two younger half-siblings, Teresa "Tessie" and Frank "Frankie" Corrales Jr. The family eventually relocated to Wellington, Utah, where Ross attended Carbon High School. Friends there affectionately knew him by the nickname "Tito." He graduated in 1960 and soon afterward attended the Salt Lake School of Electronics, beginning a career working with electronics and technology. <br /> While attending Ebenezer Assembly of God Church in Salt Lake City, Ross met the love of his life, Shirley Mae Vallez. Their meeting began a marriage filled with devotion, friendship, faith, and family. Together they raised five children and built a life centered on faith and love. <br /> Ross and Shirley's first child, Eric Lamar Corrales, was born in 1965. Ross later accepted a position in California working in electronics, where their daughter, Monica, was born in Arcadia. A subsequent transfer brought the family to Redmond, Washington, where Ross worked for Sunstrand Data Control. During their years in Washington, three more sons joined the family: Clinton Ross, Curtis Vance, and Mario Tomás Corrales. <br /> Ross later made a career change and joined Warren Westlund Buick, where he remained in the automobile industry until his retirement. He and Shirley spent many years raising their family in Bothell, Washington, before returning to Utah in 2005 and settling in West Jordan. There they reunited with longtime friends, built new friendships, and became active members of Mount Calvary Family Worship Center. <br /> Family was the center of Ross's life. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and took great joy in gathering with family whenever possible. Those who knew him will remember his warm smile, gentle spirit, and genuine kindness. <br /> Ross had a lifelong passion for automobiles. At just thirteen years old, he acquired his first car—a Model T Ford—beginning a hobby that would remain with him throughout his life. He became an avid collector and restorer of classic cars. Among all the vehicles he owned, his favorite was a 1939 Ford pickup. The story became family legend: Ross first spotted the truck sitting at the back of a lot while taking Shirley to the hospital for the birth of their daughter Monica. He later returned to purchase it and spent years lovingly restoring it. Painted bright yellow and powered by a small-block Chevy V-8 engine, the truck became a source of pride and countless memories, often drawing admiration from neighbors and friends. <br /> Beyond his love of cars, Ross enjoyed hunting as a young man with his dad, watching boxing and basketball with his sons as he grew older, listening to gospel music and watching western movies. He was rarely happier than when he had a guitar in his hands. Whether playing in church, sharing music with his cousin Sal—or friends Clyde and Billy Warford pickin' around the fire pit—music brought him great joy throughout his life. <br /> Ross is survived by his devoted wife, Shirley Mae Corrales; his daughter, Monica Warford; his sons, Clinton Ross Corrales, Curtis Vance Corrales, and Mario Tomás Corrales; along with his grandchildren, extended family, and many dear friends whose lives were touched by his kindness, faith, humor, and generosity. <br /> Though Ross will be deeply missed, his family rejoices in the assurance of his faith and the promise of eternal life. His legacy lives on through the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured, the music he shared, and the memories he created. His was a life well lived, rooted in faith, family, and love.